Happy Mardis Gras! It’s Carnival time down here in my home town of New Orleans. It’s a great opportunity to crate some colorful and fun treats. Here’s a round-up of the some cutest from around the web.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. And now that means we are in full on holiday season mode.

A wonderful time of year most of us love, but it comes with it’s own level of stress, right?

Too much to do and not enough time?

And as perfectionists and artists, we worry about doing everything perfectly for everyone.

Sound about right?

We try to be the best we can be at our craft, but sometimes we put undue stress on ourselves in the process.

Especially during the holidays. Which got me thinking back…

In my previous life, when caking was still a passionate hobby, (but before it became my full time business), I was a Registered Nurse. A job that carries a lot of responsibility (and pressure) – which I took very seriously.

I have always been a perfectionist, always trying to do better, be better; reach that brass ring that really is unattainable.

So I spent a lot of my nursing career (and my life) kind of beating myself up for not being perfect.

Then one day in the lunch room, I noticed that the management had put up a poster next to the table.

“Strive for excellence not perfection.”

Wow, I can honestly say it was one of those life moments that just hit me over the head like a loaded piping bag. “The powers that be” had given me permission to be imperfect. Had told me that being very good was good enough. That trying to always improve was an honorable goal, but it’s OK to not be flawless

That day really was a turning point for me. I have carried that message in my mind and heart ever since, and applied it to all areas of my life: parenting, being a wife, friend…

…….and caking.

I always strive to do my best in my decorating and teaching. I always try to learn more and improve my skills. But I no longer beat myself up if each cake is not perfect, because perfection in cakes, as in life, is simply not possible.

I now embrace the fact that cakes have backs for a reason

We are always our own worst critics, and sometimes that strips the joy out of the hobby we love. And I don’t want that for you.

Therefore, I give you permission to not be a perfect cake decorator.

Strive for excellence – not perfection. Love your work at the level it is today. Welcome the joy it brings to other people in all its imperfect glory.

And have fun. Cuz that’s really what it is all about.

Especially during the holidays — cut yourself some slack.

If all your cakes, cookies and other goodies don’t come out as perfect as you hoped for, it’s OK. They are still wonderful and the recipients will love them.